EAMU – Woolly apple aphid
This EAMU relates to the use of Batavia on outdoor apple for the control of woolly apple aphid (Eriosoma lanigerum).
Applications must be made via broadcast air-assisted sprayers in a water volume of 500-1,500 L/ha from May, starting at BBCH 69 (end of flowering) to September, at BBCH 81 (beginning of ripening).
An aquatic buffer zone of 15 metres must be observed.
Max. individual dose (L/ha) |
Max number of treatments (per year) |
Latest time of application |
EAMU number |
1.7
|
2*
|
21 days before harvest
|
2594 of 2019
|
* An interval of 14 days between applications is applicable.

The best time for application is when the young are moving to the new shoots.
The product dose should be reduced for smaller trees as follows:
Crop canopy height* |
Dose (L/ha) |
2.4 m+
|
1.7
|
2.0 m
|
1.5
|
1.0 m
|
0.75
|
1.0 m - 2.0 m
|
Use an intermediate rate between those given above
|
* Crop Canopy Height (CH) is the average tree height in the orchard (soil to the top of the crown) minus the average trunk height in the orchard (soil to first main branch).
Good efficacy can be expected on trees with a crop canopy height of up to 2.4m. On trees taller than this, control could become more variable with slower initial efficacy, or lower efficacy overall.
Sucking pest in apples, pears, cherries, plums and strawberries
Optimal timing is critical to get the most from Batavia.
In principle, use from BBCH 69 (post-flowering) up to BBCH 81 (onset of maturity phase) in outdoor apple, pear, cherry and plum – in other words, when there is sufficient leaf area and active growth for good movement of sap in the redistributive phloem.

Due to the mode of action, don't expect rapid knock-down of pests. Obvious control usually occurs after 3-7 days and depends on the pest stage – the youngest larvae are the most susceptible and adults least susceptible.
This is why timing of the first application is key – too early, and the active substance will run out of steam; too late and populations will have become established, making control more difficult.
Don't forget that there are two situations to consider:
- Sucking pests that mainly remain in the orchard and over-winter (e.g. mussel scales/woolly apple aphid). Apply Batavia when pests start to migrate towards the new growth to feed and reproduce.
- Migratory sucking pests that tend to over-winter elsewhere and arrive in the orchard during the season. Time applications of Batavia in the early stages of infestation to prevent population build-up before large colonies develop.
Repeat application after a minimum of 14 days if you need further control, and ensure you use alternative MoAs within your insecticide programme. To be certain of timing, however, consult your advisor. You can also contact the fruit specialists in our horticulture team.

Time first application at early migration of over-wintering sucking pests from old wood to new shoots
Stress factors
Before you apply Batavia, consider factors that limit tree growth or movement of sap in the phloem and could suppress uptake and redistribution of spirotetramat through the plant's vascular system. These include some growth regulators, some thinners, root pruning, extensive drought or heat. Consult your advisor.
Growth regulators |
Apply Batavia three days before regulators of gibberellin e.g. Regalis, not after |
Thinners |
Apply Batavia three days before thinners that affect photosynthesis or leaf quality e.g. Brevis, not after. For BA thinners such as Exilis, Globaryll 100, MaxCel no negative interactions have been seen – but do not tank-mix |
Root pruning |
Avoid before applying Batavia |
Use in programmes
As spirotetramat is a tetramic acid derivative with a similar mode of action to spirodiclofen, it belongs to Group 23 within the IRAC Mode of Action Classification scheme (www.irac-online.org).
If you rely exclusively on one pesticide, this will hasten the development of resistance; you should therefore include pesticides of different chemical types or alternative control measures in a planned programme.
Use Batavia in a spray programme with other insecticides of a different mode of action, in alternation or as a two-spray block, respecting a minimum 14 day interval.
Always apply Batavia at the full recommended rate of use for the crop canopy size (see below) and target pest, and in sufficient water volume to achieve the required spray penetration.
Be sure to respect a minimum 21-day PHI (post-harvest interval).
Tailored dose
Like many products for top fruit, Batavia allows you to adapt application according to the crop canopy height. A variable dose may both help reduce your spray costs and contribute to responsible stewardship.

Max. individual dose 1.5 L/ha – but apply variable dose according to crop canopy height